Uni opposes more work contracts

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Monash University has opposed the extension of individual work
contracts at Australian universities, which is part of the Howard
Government's plan for workplace relations changes at
universities.

Monash vice-chancellor Richard Larkins said that extending
individual contracts would create an unnecessary level of
government intervention in university operations.

Professor Larkins said universities were already moving towards
individual contracts at a "reasonable rate" and with relative
industrial peace.

"Extending the rate of individual agreements negotiated with
staff as opposed to collective agreements . . . would undoubtedly
lead to much greater compliance requirements," he said.

Earlier this week, federal Education Minister Brendan Nelson
told a meeting of Australia's university heads that the Government
would compel universities to offer individual work contracts. These
Australian Workplace Agreements would override collective
agreements negotiated by unions.

But Professor Larkins said he supported Dr Nelson's plans to
legislate against industrial action that affected "innocent third
parties", such as tertiary unions withholding student results.

Unions at Monash and Ballarat universities have bans on
releasing student results. Similar bans start at RMIT next
week.

The secretary of the Victorian branch of the National Tertiary
Education Union, Matthew McGowan, said bans on releasing student
results were a "softer option" than forms of industrial action that
disrupted teaching.

Dr Nelson yesterday defended the Government against criticism
that its proposed workplace changes were not raised during the
recent election, saying the issues were clearly on the agenda.

Speaking on ABC radio, he also indicated the Government could
soften its long-held opposition to compulsory student unionism. Dr
Nelson said he would consider some form of compulsory student
association fees to support essential student services, but not
political or quasi-social organisations.

Chief executive of the Australian Vice-Chancellor's Committee,
John Mullarvey, said universities still supported a compulsory
student fee to ensure the delivery of essential services.

Asked whether he believed fees should support political
activities on campus, Mr Mullarvey said: "The decisions that are
made on what the money should be spent on is a matter for
individual universities to decide."